Division's top scorer leaves Sidlesham on losing side again

The division's top scorer Ryan Walton earned Newhaven the points in a battle between the league's leakiest defences.

The Dockers dominated a poor Sidlesham side throughout, and avenged the 3-2 loss they suffered in the reverse fixture.

A five-minute spell of decent first-half chances began when Newhaven’s Lee Robinson clipped the bar in the 19th minute. Moments later, Paul Barnes went close for Sidlesham with a free-kick, before home keeper Marc Hildersley was troubled by Gary Carter.

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Despite Newhaven monopolising possession, the incision offered 
by winger Kieron Playe-Howard meant the Sids created several chances on the break.

When a long goal-kick caught Newhaven cold, Barnes poked past the onrushing Hildersley, only for Nivaldo Preira to clear off the line.

Newhaven camped in the shadow of the Sidlesham box after the interval.

Realising his team needed a finisher, Newhaven manager Paul Harrison brought on Walton in the 59th minute.

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And after Robinson was scythed down in the D, Walton answered his manager’s call by curling in a free-kick just eight minutes after coming on.

Sidlesham’s Mike Duffey wasted a golden opportunity in injury time.

The win meant Sidlesham maintained their 100 per cent losing record on the road in 2010-11. Sids manager Malcolm Harwood believes the players at his disposal have taken the club as far as they possibly can.

He said: “If we’d actually got the ball down, maybe we could have done something. But we’re a couple of players short, and I’ll be sorting that in the near future.”

SIDLESHAM: Rogers; Briscoe, Leggatt, Duffey, Dore; Mullen, Barnes, Newman, Playe-Howard; Derry (Rogers 71), Carter.

MARTYN FISHER

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